Friday, September 07, 2012

The Empty Mat

"When I unroll my yoga mat and
carefully place it on the floor, I often briefly reflect on the fact that
this yoga mat has created a sacred space. The mat has outlined a spiritual
domain, marked the Four Magickal Quarters, hallowed out an empty space for
action. Could we stand tall and strong like The Warrior without this
freedom of Nothing in Our Way? Without this potent emptiness how could we move to align with the
cosmos? Aligning our mats is a ritual act in physical fitness yoga practice.

My Taijiquan practice area is also a wide
empty space. A clear space for flowing movements with a clear mind.
An uncluttered domain for cultivating an uncluttered mind. Nothing is
essential here for doing something of real value.

The whole topic of
Emptiness (Sunyata, Mu, the Void, Inter-Dependent Arising,
impermanence, etc.) leads us into thoughts and insights about consciousness,
knowing, and metaphysics.
The
Heart Sutra is a classic Buddhist scripture that reflects on the
emptiness at the core of all beings and that is a path for
true understanding. This understanding along with the Four Immeasurables (Love,
Compassion, Joy and Impartiality), the
Ten Paramitas, and Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma,
Sangha) provide us with a wide path for going
beyond, far beyond, to the Other Shore.

Our simple yoga mats, like a beautiful window or door, can open us up and
out to
energizing possibilities, allow us to play with new experiences, allow us to
see in new ways, grant us a place for
becoming. Emptiness creates the ground for what is to emerge, from the holy
heart of creation. Emptiness is receptive and giving at the same time. So,
today, just lay your mat down, enter the Dragon's Gate of Emptiness, sit,
and savor Nothing."